Is Raphael Tuju seaking Raila intervention from jail?

 The raffle Salva introduced to me is one of the most fascinating, and unprecedented, experiences in all my years of covering Kenyan politics. It represents the peak of impunity and arrogance, where some individuals believe they can deceive the public and face no consequences. These people think they are so clever, so bribed, or so influential that they can manipulate public perception. It's as if they believe the Kenyan public is made up of fools, a sentiment expressed by some, even referring to the public as "idiots."

Rafferty, the subject of much speculation, has not been seen in public for a long time. However, numerous statements have been issued claiming that he is either in Rwanda for some undefined business or that he has invited reporters to meet him for tea at an undisclosed location, with lengthy articles in the press citing an anonymous writer. Kenyans are expected to believe these fabricated stories without question.

There have been recent statements suggesting that Rafferty is issuing communications from a location where he cannot be photographed by the press. The question arises: Is he being held against his will in some secret place? It seems that Rafferty, known for relishing the attention of the press and often mocking their mistakes, is currently unable to do so, which raises further questions.

There are rumors—unconfirmed—that Tanzanian authorities are holding Kenyan spies, though they have denied detaining anyone specifically named. While Tanzanian officials have not confirmed Rafferty's detention, the silence surrounding his whereabouts adds to the uncertainty. Politicians in Kenya, particularly from the Jubilee party, are generally allergic to truth, especially when it paints them in a negative light. Acknowledging mistakes and correcting them is a rarity in Kenyan politics.

What is most troubling in this situation is the continuous spread of lies about Rafferty's whereabouts, especially since it's becoming increasingly clear that it's impossible for him to mock the press or respond to rumors as he once did. Recent rumors claim that Rafferty is allegedly appealing to Raila Odinga for help to escape an Italian prison, but these, too, remain unverified.

At this point, the timing of these rumors is highly suspect, and it seems we might soon hear a new, equally absurd claim about Rafferty's location. Perhaps they will say he is in the U.S., writing his memoirs, or vacationing in the Bermuda Triangle—stories that lack any real basis. What is concerning is the lack of empathy shown for those close to Rafferty. How would they feel if their loved one’s location remained a mystery, with contradictory reports suggesting he's either in Rwanda or Kenya, but never confirming his true whereabouts?

Those who have profited from spreading these lies and manipulating the Kenyan people may soon find their time is up. The public is no longer easily deceived. As the late President John F. Kennedy once said, "You can fool some people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time."